Installations Gone Awry

By Ben Rotholtz, General Manager, Web Services & Syndication

Previous versions of the RealPlayer delivered uneven experiences over the years for some consumers.  “Uneven,” ah, that’s so ‘PC’ -- must be a Seattle thing. Let’s be blunt, “Uneven” is too kind for some of the loops and hurdles that got in the way of the very basic value-proposition of RealPlayer: “Let me play.” Consumers just wanted the unimpeded ability to play a clip they found on the Internet, not wade through an installation sequence that just lingered on-and-on.

It may have seemed like some malicious plot on our part to wreck the consumer experience of what was fundamentally a very useful piece of software. The RealPlayer was one of the Internet’s most revolutionary applications and ignited media on the Internet.

Real did not design installation to be a series of frustrating experiences. It was more like a number of experiments that got away from us. Too many cups of coffee mixed with too many agendas.

Installation: It’s the heart of the first-time experience. Will this software meet my needs? Will it meet my expectations? Do I trust it as a guest on my machine? Will it be a fundamental part of my lifestyle?

The new RealPlayer, available at the end of June, approaches installation in a very different way from previous versions. The new RealPlayer is all about the unimpeded zero-to-sixty ability to download and record video clips across tens–of-thousands of Internet sites. The new RealPlayer is our video platform. It’s our priority to make installation transparent.

We’ve got four installation screens for the Windows version (the Mac version will be available later this year and we’ll update you on any variants). There is the license agreement:

Then we provide the ability to set the location for the RealPlayer install and provide an option to add a desktop icon (you can uncheck it). Note, there is not even an option for putting RealPlayer in the system tray anymore). You can disable the “Download this Video” button from your Internet Explorer or Firefox browser: If downloading and recording is of interest to you leave option this checked. Lastly, “Make RealPlayer the default player for any media-types not currently associated with another application.” What’s that mean? If another media player hasn’t taken a media-type (that is, open X player when you see Y kind of video file) then we’ll attempt to play it back with the RealPlayer. Remember the media-type wars where QuickTime, Windows Media and RealPlayer would battle for playback? We’re not playing anymore.

The third screen enables consumers to opt-out of software that we distribute for partners. We think this software is of great benefit to consumers (for example, the Google Toolbar or the Firefox browser) but it’s your choice and you can uncheck installation. 

The last screen of the installation sequence won’t affect anything unless you check boxes. If you want to sample other products that Real creates, such as RealArcade or Rhapsody, you can check the box and we will install a desktop icon you can click to find out about these products. If you want to be notified about movie trailers and clips, new music or highlights from the Guide you have to check the boxes. The message center is off by default. If you want to be on a mailing list you can supply us with an email address.

 

Hit “Finish” and start playing.

Ben Rotholtz, General Manager, Web Services & Syndication

Comments

[Marcin]

Look much simpler then previous versions... Nice surprise... Now show us the player so we could find if it's too not over bloated...

[RPProduct Team]

Marcin,

The player is no larger than the current player which is far smaller and consumes less resources than both WMP11 and iTunes.

Matt Spragins, Dir of Product, RealPlayer

[Chris K]

why bother with the terms + conditions ?

When I turn on my TV I don't have to accept terms + conditions. When I start my car I don't have to accept t+c's...

Then'd you'd be down to 3 screens :)

[John A]

I would suggest making the check boxes for the 3rd party software (Google stuff) off by default as well. Why risk complications from software that you have no control over?

Also, will the new player still have all of the existing capabilities available - even if they're not turned on or installed by default? I would hate to gain one new feature only to be blindsided by losing 6 others.

[RPProduct Team]

John,

All of the existing capabilities still exist. We still believe that there is value in the message center when it comes to alert the user about new video content such as movies trailers and other popular video clips but only if the user wants to be alerted to them, which is why they are now opt in.

Users still have the ability to make the RealPlayer their default player for all audio and video types. Again, we believe the user should make this choice.

Matt Spragins, Dir of Product, RealPlayer

[Antonio]

Hi Guys, great news coming from the other side of the lake.
I am just wondering if you have cut the browser and the other functionalities that didn't have anything with media consumption, I hope yes, when I download a Media player I expect it be just the Best Media Player and not a Browser/Player/Media Library/CD burner and etc. I really hope that this new RealPlayer can be very light and focused on the user experience.
Congrats !

[Antonio]

I just forgot to ask, Is the new RealPlayer still compatible with SMIL 2.0, RP, RT and is there any news regarding the content authoring?

[RPProduct Team]

Antonio,

The user experience has been cleaned up fairly dramatically. We have listened to consumers and responded with a new video focused user interface. That being said, we still do have a media library and CD Burning (and now DVD burning) because we want users to be able to manage and transfer their downloaded video so they can watch it anywhere they want. We have also made a number of performance improvements that you should like as well.

Matt Spragins, Dir of Product, RealPlayer

[jorge]

esta bueno

[Greg]

I must say that I have boycotted Real Player for ages now, precisely for the reasons pointed out in your post. Hats off to you guys for acknowledging it so honestly, and swinging that pendulum completely the other way. I am especially impressed that you've made it impossible for a user to have their existing filetype associations replaced. I look forward to welcoming you back... water under the bridge.

[Henri]

I was wondering what audio enhancements will be present in the new Real player.

I am still hoping for the option of some real gapless playback. Also fade out at stop and pause would be nice. Could we see these options in the near future?

[John]

Is the new RealPlayer going to be working ok on Windows Vista?

[awad ahmed]

thanx for realplayer

[steverino]

i dont know why people complain about real player so much on other sites.i have loved/used it since my first pc in 2002.its so easy to use.rewind/ff and screen enlarge are right at your fingertips.the only thing i miss and i would like to know why you got rid of the record feature(if thats what it was called). by that i mean i used to be able to put on a podcast/webradio show and go to work and real player would record the show so i could rewind it and listen to it from the beginning.can you tell me why you took away that feature in the more current versions? i really miss that feature

[Wally]

When I checked the realplayer icon in the google pack it downloaded and tried to install, but came back with an error and said it would be disabled without explaining at all what the problem was. caused by: Mcaffee virussan? Vista?? Hardware?? unsupported driver? do you have any way to diagnose the issue (a downloadable or web page realplayer doctor?) suggestions wanted...wally

[Crystal]

I accepted the update to Version 11. When installation was almost complete, a dialog box with the message, "Shell executable of Setup program has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

This is the standard "program failure" dialog box which allows you to "Report this problem to Microsoft."

I was able to record a video from a website, but couldn't rename or replay it...nothing happens when I try to use those options after recording the video. I can't even play OTHER videos (RealPlayer is my default player). When I double-click the video file names, nothing happens.

I tried reinstalling it (twice), only to come up with the same error.

[Stacy]

My Real Player isnt working properly. Every time I try to watch a video or go to my library I get a message that says "Real Player has stopped working." What is the problem exactly and how do I fix it? The problem list says APP Crash". Is really like to use Real Player. I finally got high speed internet and I want to download videos and songs. Any info. & help is appreciated.

[Jay Rosen]

You are the worst large company on the Internet, Ben, the most disruptive presence on my computer, the most annoying to download and use, the least reputable. You load my machine with crap I don't want. You make it crash. You try every way you can to make Real Playet my default so you can blitz me with more ads and make me dowloands more updates.

I hate seeing your logo. I won't download a clip if I have to listen in Real Player. You know what you are doing, and you know the reputation you have on the Internet. You're a commercial disgrace. And you, Ben Rotholtz, disgrace yourself by working for such a company.

[Jay Rosen]

You are the worst large company on the Internet, Ben, the most disruptive presence on my computer, the most annoying to download and use, the least reputable. You load my machine with crap I don't want. You make it crash. You try every way you can to make Real Playet my default so you can blitz me with more ads and make me dowloands more updates.

I hate seeing your logo. I won't download a clip if I have to listen in Real Player. You know what you are doing, and you know the reputation you have on the Internet. You're a commercial disgrace. And you, Ben Rotholtz, disgrace yourself by working for such a company.